While Israeli politicians flip the finger at the world to score points with right-wing voters
at home, they are alienating Israel’s most important, loyal allies: Progressive U.S. Jews.

Lately, American friends are asking me whether Israeli leaders are thinking straight, whether they realize how
unreasonable their statements sound here in Washington, and how odd some of their policies seem.

The holiday of Shavuot, which begins the night of Tuesday, June 3rd, and continues through Thursday, celebrates the
giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. Shavuot completes the cycle that celebrates the origin of the Jews as a people,
starting with Passover. The holiday of Shavuot, once an agricultural festival, has come to represent the importance
of the Torah, and our understanding that freedom is not complete until there is rule of law to guide us.

This week, Alpher discusses the significance of the Pope's visit to the Holy Land;
whether the June 10 presidential elections is something to get excited about or just another ho-hum affair;
and whether we about to witness a new Israeli unilateral initiative.

We will be marching with the group of progressive, pro-Israel organizations committed to Israel's core values, as
laid out in its Declaration of Independence 66 years ago. Our organizations support and advance the ideals of
democracy, freedom, justice, peace and human rights and will be marching loud and proud on June 1.

Come out and make your voice heard! Don’t miss this opportunity to show the world that there is a strong and
vibrant progressive voice supporting Israel. Please register at this
link to receive our meeting point for the parade.

This weekend, Pope Francis will be visiting the Middle East on a historic trip. Many people the world over have
been impressed by the humility of this pope, by his loving mien, and his ethical stances. We also are encouraged by
his friendship with Rabbi Abraham Skorka and Omar Abboud - leaders of the Jewish and Muslim communities in
Argentina - and his determination to demonstrate the normalcy of interfaith friendship.

Following the recent increase in “Price Tag” hate-crimes in Israel, including the
desecration of Christian and Muslim houses of worship, we called on American friends of Israel
to join APN in urging the Israeli authorities to seriously confront this ugly phenomenon.

This week, Alpher discusses the new "iNakba" app; last week's visit by PM Binyamin
Netanyahu to Japan and of President Shimon Peres to Norway; what Israeli chief negotiator Tzipi Livni's meeting
in London with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas against a backdrop of surprising progress in the Palestinian
drive to form a Fateh-Hamas unity government tells us about the chances for reviving the peace process; and the
level of intrigue over the Knesset electing a new president to replace Shimon Peres.

Lag B'Omer - the 33rd day between Pesach and Shavuot- is a minor Jewish holiday that celebrates (among other
things) the cessation of a divinely-sent plague that resulted from people not showing one another adequate respect.
It is celebrated with bonfires, and great joy. Let us also look forward to a cessation of all the ills that Israel
suffers from, and look forward to joy, peace and security.

This week, Alpher discusses Martin Indyk's remarks about his impressions from the now suspended Israeli-Palestinian
peace process; accusations of Israeli spying on the United States; and why the Syrian Army's recapturing rebel
strongholds in the city of Homs as rebels withdrew peaceably under a broader agreement is significant.